UAAP

UAAP: Sean Manganti, the man who gave his all for Adamson

Danine Cruz on Nov 28, 2018 10:08 PM

"I love Adamson forever."

After three years of service for Adamson University, Sean Manganti took his final bow for the blue and white, Wednesday evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a tearful exit for the team captain as the Soaring Falcons lost to fellow history-seeking University of the Philippines, 89-87, in a do-or-die semifinals thriller in front of nearly 21,000 fans.

Manganti was inconsolable after the final buzzer. Teammates and friends took turns in hugging the 6-foot-5 forward, but tears kept falling. Even during the Adamson University Hymn, he could not fight back his tears as he trembled, singing the song for the last time.

The heartbroken reaction was understandable from the 24-year-old athlete. From being a mere athletic dunker in Season 79, he evolved to a clutch shot maker in Season 80, to the team leader that was now in Season 81. It was one wild ride for Manganti.

In all those seasons, his team had been part of the top four cast, but they have yet to break through to the Finals.

Season 81 was supposed to be different. It was the first year under Pumaren's mentorship that they finished the eliminations as the second-seeded team, and the first time that they were enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage. This season was their strongest in the Pumaren era.

This was also Manganti's best year. He delivered two clutch baskets versus UP in the eliminations that earned him the reputation for being a 'UP killer.' He also posted a career-high 27 points versus University of the East, and he ended his college career with averages of 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals.

But as the dust settled, this season was still not Manganti's. It still wasn't Adamson's.

Regardless of the heartbreaking finish, Manganti expressed that hopefully, the Adamson community will still remember him as a winner.

"I just hope I can be remembered as one that left it all on the floor, one that gave his life to Adamson, one that gave his heart to Adamson, and sacrificed everything for Adamson no matter what," he said while fighting back tears.

"And hopefully as a winner and a competitor," he added.

Manganti is still nursing this heartbreak but he hinted that this is not the last time Filipino basketball fans will see him.

"I'm looking at the [PBA] Draft. Either this year or next year," shared the Fil-Am athlete.

His UAAP exit may not be as rosy as he wanted it to be, but at least he ended his career in front of a massively supportive Adamson community -- the community he treated as his home for three years.

"I love you forever. That's all I can keep saying. I love Adamson forever. They'll always be a big part of me. They are the reason who I am today, they have shaped me into the man I am today. And I hope the feeling is mutual," Manganti said.